Master of Science
Description and Objectives
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Architecture is an advanced, post-professional degree in architectural research. It introduces students to knowledge in a specialized area as well as to modes of research/scholarship in architecture and related disciplines. Although students are typically recent recipients of a professional architecture degree, the M.S. also provides midcareer professionals, as well as graduates with degrees in fields related to architecture (such as art history or engineering), the opportunity to pursue architectural research in ways that will challenge and enrich their understanding of the discipline. The M.S. provides an additional credential that enables its graduates to pursue research-based practices, teach in schools of architecture, and/or pursue doctoral studies.
The degree is a full academic year, intensive course of study culminating in an independent research-based master’s thesis. Each student elects one of three major areas of specialization offered by Doctoral Studies, or the Master of Science Design Research (MS_DR) option.. He/she is guided by a faculty advisor affiliated with that area or option.
A student who elects the Building Technology, Design Studies, or History and Theory area pursues a course of study that includes Ph.D. core courses and does not include design studio courses. Elective and cognate courses are related to the area of specialization. The master’s thesis, developed under the student’s advisor, is typically based on archival, qualitative, or quantitative research and is primarily written in form.
A student who elects the Master of Science Design Research (MS_DR) option pursues a thematically based course of study that includes design work in a studio setting as well as related seminars. Elective and cognate courses are related to the option and to the student’s particular research and design interests. The master’s thesis, developed through the core curriculum of the program, is based on a broad range of research and creative modalities stemming from studio practices and pursued in close alliance with a seminar. Only students who will hold the M.Arch. degree at the time of enrollment into the M.S. can elect a design research option.
Currently enrolled UM M.Arch. students who, prior to graduation, wish to begin M.S. studies in Building Technology, Design Studies, or History and Theory, can pursue the dual M.Arch./M.S. degree and double-count up to 15 credit hours of coursework. UM M.Arch. graduates who enroll for the M.S. may be able to apply up to 15 credit hours from their M.Arch. coursework towards the M.S. and accelerate their time to degree. (per Rackham Graduate School guidelines).
The MS_DR is not offered concurrent with the M.Arch, but UM students pursuing a M.Arch can apply for the MS_DR program such that the degrees are consecutive. In this scenario, students can double-count up to 15 credit hours (per Rackham Graduate School guidelines) from M.Arch course work to count towards MS_DR degree requirements.
In contrast to the Master of Architecture, the Master of Science is a non-professional, non-terminal degree. Those who hold only the M.S. are not eligible to apply for professional registration.
Visit How To Apply for information on the application process and online forms.
